Pilot Writing

Every series needs a familiar and compelling institution, flawed characters who want something, and an engrossing series engine.

Families, hospitals, big box stores, polygamy, funeral homes, mafia, elementary schools, spies, restaurants… are all institutions we wanted to see, even if we didn’t know it.

Carmy, Earn, Helly are all strong, flawed characters who want something. We watch them fail to be understood, to be heard, or to make the right choice. We, the audience, want to see them change, or to see the world around them start to give.

In class, you’ll develop your script based on an institution and a twist - your angle on that world. You’ll get to know your characters well enough that they start talking to you. You’ll find a little fire inside you and write something that only you can write.

You’ll learn about the industry, get your questions answered, and see where you might fit into this changing business.

You’ll also find a cohort of fellow writers who you can grow with and learn from.

Screenwriting

Short films are a way to raise money and interest in the full length movie you want to make. They’re also a way to get your work into the world though festivals. If you make your own short you’ll learn how to make a movie and become a better writer. Independent films are an exciting way to show the world who you are as an artist. If you write an independent film, your script is really your own. It’s up to you to put it in the right hands and make the movie you want to make. In class you can get feedback on your screenplay, track what’s going on in the independent film world, and make a plan for your own movie.

Playwriting

The Playwriting Lab is more than just a class. It’s a meeting of writers who want to explore the idea of making theater even if it’s something they’ve never considered before. Writers who majored in theater, writers who have experience on stage, and writers who are completely new to theater, come together to write plays and learn about opportunities to submit work in NYC and all over the country.